Friday, April 22, 2011

NY Show 2011 Highlights: 2011 Jeep Wrangler Mojave

Nearly every automaker churns out special editions, but few have been doing it for as long as Jeep, a brand that’s been dressing up its iconic off-roaders since the Tuxedo Park CJ-5s of the early 1960s. (Among the more famous special Jeeps is the Golden Eagle of the late ’70s—if you don’t remember that one, we’ll bet the words “Daisy” and “Duke” will jog your memory.) Available for both two- and four-door Wranglers, the Mojave is the latest such Jeep. Strangely, it was introduced in New York, a city both more than 2500 miles away from the namesake desert and trail and utterly lacking in suitable off-road obstacles, unless you count hobos and stockbrokers, which we do.

Starting with a Wrangler Sport, the exterior Mojavification involves slapping on Jeep’s handsome body-colored hardtop and fender flares in tan, white, or black—the only paints available. Jeep then adds the side steps from the Sahara model, as well as lizard decals on the hood and rearmost pillar. The Mojave dips into the pockets of another Wrangler trim, the Rubicon, for its 32-inch off-road rubber and gray 17-inch wheels. Power comes from the familiar and wheezy 202-hp, 3.8-liter V-6, and both the four-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions are available. (Sorry, no Pentastar or six-speed slushbox until next year, Wrangler fans.)

Inside, the Mojave gets dark saddle leather, embroidered lizards on the front seats, and tread-patterned rubber floor mats. The press release also says there is driftwood trimming the vents, dash-mounted grab handle, steering wheel spokes, and inner door handles, but it's not old dead trees—it's just a different silver color.

The Mojave will arrive in showrooms this June with a $29,945 starting price, hobos not included.